The symptoms tend to clear up within a couple of days, but it can prove more dangerous for the very young and elderly

Symptoms usually clear up in two to three days, but if they don’t that’s when you should speak to your GP.

If you child has norovirus and they have vomited more than three times or had more than six bouts of diarrhoea in 24 hours you should also take them to the doctor.

To help your body fight the bug you should get plenty of rest, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stop yourself becoming dehydrated, you can take paracetamol for the aches and pains and you can take antidiarrhoeal and anti-vomiting medication.

If you do feel like eating you should stick to plain foods to begin with.

Public Health England has previously urged people to be prepared, learn the signs to watch out for and take steps to protect themselves.

SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR

THESE are the signs you or a loved one could be suffering norovirus:

suddenly feeling sick

projectile vomiting

watery diarrhoea

tummy pain and cramps

slight fever

headaches

aching limbs

Nick Phin, National Infection Service deputy director at PHE said norovirus can be particularly dangerous to very young babies and toddlers, and the elderly.

“Norovirus can be unpleasant and is easily passed on to those around you,” he warned.

“Most people get over it within a day or two, but in the very young, elderly and those who have weakened immune systems it can last longer.

“It is easy to get dehydrated, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent this.

Stay away from places like hospitals and care homes, and avoid preparing food or having close contact with others when you’re ill, to limit the spread of norovirus

Nick PhinPublic Health England

“It usually lasts about two days.

“But, there’s not much that can be done to treat it.”

Due to the fact it is a virus, antibiotics – which attack bacteria – are powerless in the face of this vomiting bug.

So, now you know all the gory details of norovirus you’re probably wondering how you can protect yourself.

Norovirus is spread through close contact with someone who has the illness, touching surfaces that are contaminated with the bug and eating contaminated food.